Vulnerability Scanners 101: The Basics of Vulnerability Scanning

Vulnerability Scanners: Defined

In a nutshell, organizations can use a vulnerability scanner to check their networks, systems, and apps for security vulnerabilities.

A vulnerability scanner is an automated program that detects and inventory all IT assets linked to a network, such as servers, workstations, laptops, virtual machines, containers, firewalls, switches, and printers.

Vulnerability scanners also strive to determine the operational features of each asset. An example of a potentially vulnerable operational feature includes an operating system that is being used as apps are installed. Other qualities such as open ports and user accounts, among other things, are further examples of potentially vulnerable operational features.

How Vulnerability Scanning Works

You can set up vulnerability scanners to check all network ports for password breaches as well as questionable applications and services.

The system will use various strategies and tactics to trigger devices within the target scope. The target scope determines the type of scan used by the vulnerability platform. The vulnerability scanner will try to match the reactions of the devices to a database and establish risk ratings, or severity levels, depending on those reactions.

Five Types of Vulnerability Scanners

Depending on the assets they scan, vulnerability scanners can be divided into five major categories:

1. Application Scanners

Web application vulnerability scanners evaluate websites to identify known software vulnerabilities and incorrect setups in a network or web-based software programs.

2. Database Scanners

A database vulnerability scanner identifies weak spots and links in a database to prevent malicious attacks from taking advantage of them.

3. Host-based Scanners

Using host-based scanners, you can examine servers, workstations, or other network hosts for vulnerabilities, which show the system’s configuration and patch history. Once access is granted or taken on a system, host-based vulnerability assessment tools can provide insight into the possible damage that insiders and outsiders can inflict.

4. Network-based Scanners

Network vulnerability scanners uncover network security breaches and susceptible systems on wired or wireless networks. Network-based scanners also detect remote access servers and linkages to unsecured networks of business partners.

5. Wireless Scanners

Wireless vulnerability scanners are used to spot unauthorized access points and to verify that a company’s network has been configured securely, among other things.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Vulnerability Scanning

When talking about Vulnerability Scanning, it is important to weigh in its pros and cons, such as the following:

Pros

Vulnerability Scanning offers the following advantages:

Prevent Cybercriminals from Exploiting Vulnerabilities by Identifying them First

Criminals hunt for and exploit known vulnerabilities in many automated cyber-attacks. That is, their expert hacking abilities do not create or discover a vulnerability: They are merely probing for vulnerabilities, just as any organization with functional scanning software could.

Organizations can find and fix holes and vulnerabilities using the same technologies before anybody else can exploit them.

Define the Level of Risk that Systems are Exposed To

Regular vulnerability scans will help companies assess their security measures’ overall efficacy. Vulnerabilities indicate significantly faulty systems or software that organizations can redesign.

Save Both Time and Money

Automated scans are simple to set up and save money over time. Because vulnerability scanning reduces the danger of a data breach, this can ultimately prevent lost customers, cleanup costs, and fines.

Cons

Vulnerability Scanning also has the following disadvantages:

Vulnerability Scanners are Not Able to Detect Every Vulnerability

Vulnerability scans are not perfect; they are only as good as their latest update.

Even with the most advanced technology, there will be vulnerabilities that the scanner will miss. This issue could be because the flaw is too complicated to exploit and, hence, spotted by an automated tool.

False-Positive Results

Unfortunately, it is not always clear what a vulnerability scan’s results imply. For example, the tool may misidentify something like a vulnerability when it is not. As a result, determining your real security position oftentimes still requires expert interpretation.

Detecting Unclear Vulnerabilities

An identified vulnerability’s influence on your business operations can be difficult to assess. An automated tool will not teach organizations this, while a system administrator is more concerned with the technical aspect.

Conclusion

Vulnerability scanning is critical for any organization looking to establish the optimal course forward to enhance security defenses. Scanning and analysis generate data and identify vulnerabilities that you can use to fine-tune a network, maximizing your security testing expenditure return.

Once again, keeping data safe and secure is no easy feat in this day and age. However, organizations can significantly ease this endeavor with the right vulnerability scanner.

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